Students, faculty and staff were notified Wednesday that head men’s and women’s cross country and track coach Rob Mallinder will not be returning for his ninth year at Baker University.
Mallinder said he plans to return to either New Zealand or Australia before his work-authorization visa expires in October 2007.
“It is unfortunate that I am leaving, but the thing we need to understand is I am not leaving on bad terms,” he said. “We have to move on.”
Athletic Director Dan Harris said he worked with Mallinder for more than a year to find a way for him to stay, but said strict U.S. immigration laws made attaining another visa a time-consuming process that could take upwards of three years.
“This has been a long, drawn-out process,” Harris said.
Mallinder has coached 16 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics All-Americans, 19 NAIA Academic All-Americans and has led three women’s cross country teams to become Heart of America Athletic Conference champions.
“I think what he has done is recruit athletes who are very coach-able, and he was able to take them to a higher level,” Harris said. “He does a good job of seeing the potential in athletes. He has made the Baker track and field program attractive.”
Sophomore transfer Donnie Gardner said he has enjoyed having Mallinder as a coach.
“It’s disappointing that he is only going to be my coach for a year,” he said. “He is funny. He does his own thing, and he knows what he’s talking about. He cares a lot for the team.”
The job description will change for whoever fills the position, Harris said. With the start of the exercise science major last spring, new teaching responsibilities in the physical education department will accompany the position.
Harris said he also hopes to bring back Baker Relays, a long-standing tradition that is a meet put on by Baker University.
“We want to bring (Baker Relays) back in a more prestigious form to showcase the new facility,” Harris said.
Mallinder said despite leaving at the end of the year, he is still focused on coaching to the best of his abilities.